Canon 50D a little disappointed

Not disappointed with my camera, but with myself. I guess I had some misconceptions about taking photos. I had it all built up in my mind that if I bought this nice camera, all my pictures would look great. I'm not looking to be a professional photographer. I just want to be able to take good photos of friends and family. I have a lot to learn about taking pictures. I bought the Blue Crane DVD for my camera, but felt it was lacking on info. Has anyone watched this DVD?

Welcome to the 50D. She is a touchy, picky little prissy of a camera, but once you give it some attention and learn to get the settings right when shooting, she will deliver some spectacular shots.

I haven't watched the DVD or even owned a 50D but I am sure I and others will be able to help you. Post some pics and you will get good advice.

EDIT: oh and welcome to POTN.

I love my 50D. Don't get me wrong I take a ton of crap pics with it. It is not a pro camera, but it is far above entry Level. Read the manual. Read this forum, and get a good lens. Not that the 28-135 is crappy, but there are a lot of other cheap better lenses.

Also most pics you see nowadays are post processed, so don't expect them to look great right out of the camera.

I havent seen that blue crane video, but I thought the one for canon flashes didnt explain the basics well at all. The feelings you have about your 50D are common for new users. You just dumped a ton of cash and your new camera behaves worse than a point and shoot. Dont worry, that will probably pass. The key to remember is that your new camera is capable of great things but it will require some guidance from you. The difference between a camera of this class and a PS is that this camera is designed to let you fail at the risk of achieving better things. What I mean is the camera in some modes assumes you know what you want and what you are doing and lets you make your own mistakes. Get a copy of understanding exposure, a book by Bryan Peterson and read your camera's manual and then start shooting, posting, and asking questions here. Lots of help will follow.

Sean wrote in post #10167199
Welcome to the 50D. She is a touchy, picky little prissy of a camera, but once you give it some attention and learn to get the settings right when shooting, she will deliver some spectacular shots.

This is true Sean.. The 50D takes some careful setting before it's full potential can be achieved.. One area is in the Auto Focus department.. Many lenses need some AF Micro adjustment..

CMLamb,, in what area aren't you happy about the 50D??

Just out of curiosity, what do you find lacking in your pics? Post up a sample or two.

Camera's are camera's... most modern DSLR's are pretty equal when it comes to producing good, clean images. The quality of the image comes from the person pressing the shutter release. Even if you bought a 1D Mark IV, if you don't have any experience your images will look just as bad as if you had taken them with a point and shoot.

Try this book:

http://www.amazon.com …tal-Updated/dp/0817463003

It will get you on the right path. It's a GREAT book, one that most photographers just starting out will benefit from reading.

Spend time taking a picture. Make every picture count. Slow down.

MikeFairbanks wrote in post #10167358
Spend time taking a picture. Make every picture count. Slow down.

Agree. Alot of us, me included get so wrapped up reading what is good and bad and less time shooting. Don't get me wrong, information is great, but the only way to get better is to go out and shoot.

Nmura wrote in post #10167581
Agree. Alot of us, me included get so wrapped up reading what is good and bad and less time shooting. Don't get me wrong, information is great, but the only way to get better is to go out and shoot.

It's a little more complex than that really. I know people who have been shooting for some time and honestly, they're still pretty bad.

It's a combination of knowledge and experience that creates exceptional photographs. You need to understand the basics before you progress to the more advanced stuff. If you don't understand how or why your aperture works... you're limiting yourself.

BTW.. Noticed that this was your first post. Welcome to the forum.

start with this thread, its pretty helpful...
I just bought my 50D and im still learning too. It def takes time to learn all the functions of the camera, you cant just expect great pictures to come from the camera, its also mainly the user that has to find the great shots and making sure all the settings are correct
http://http …m/showthread.ph​p?t=414088

Sean wrote in post #10167199
Welcome to the 50D. She is a touchy, picky little prissy of a camera, but once you give it some attention and learn to get the settings right when shooting, she will deliver some spectacular shots.

+1

It is no point and shoot for sure. It will reveal weakness in lenses. It will reveal weakness in technique. If you spend time with the camera, it will make you a better photographer.

I struggled with mine for about a month, but once we got to know each other, my keeper rate skyrocketed.

Be patient with the camera and yourself. There really is a reward at the end of the learning curve.

This: http://search.barnesan​dnoble.com …-Sheppard/e/97816005952​64

helped me immensely. Read it and highlight the parts that sound important. Pick up your camera and read again the highlighted sections and apply them to the camera.

VERY good hands-on manual for learning and taking good shots with your 50D. It's a really nice camera!

dave